Letters from an American August 13, 2025
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Aug 14, 2025 Discover the transformative impact of the Social Security Act of 1935 and its architect, Frances Perkins, the first female cabinet member. Explore how a social worker fought tirelessly for workers' rights following the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, advocating for essential reforms. Unpack the origins of federal unemployment insurance amidst the Great Depression, highlighting pivotal proposals that gained public support. Finally, delve into the enduring legacy of the Social Security Act, reflecting a shift toward collective community values in American society.
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Perkins' Turning Point In Factory Tour
- Frances Perkins moved from science into social work after seeing factory conditions on a required student tour.
- That experience and later work shaped her lifelong commitment to improving labor conditions through government action.
Triangle Fire Shaped Her Resolve
- Frances Perkins witnessed the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire where 146 mostly women and girls died because exits were locked.
- That tragedy convinced her that only government action could fix lethal industrial abuses.
Government As Necessary Social Instrument
- Perkins shifted from charity-based solutions to using federal power to adjust industrial conditions and support families.
- She believed government should aim to give all people the best possible life through collective policies.
